Murphysboro, Ill. — Oct. 16, 2017 — A preventative drug now offered by the Jackson County Health Department has the potential to virtually eliminate new cases of HIV in the region within a generation, The Southern reported in a front-page article.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a once-a-day pill that, when used consistently, can prevent at-risk people from getting infected with HIV.

Helped by a $20,000 state grant, the health department will open a “one-stop shop” clinic next month that offers client navigation for PrEP services, including education, medication access, referral to PrEP-friendly providers and enrollment into medication assistance programs, said Paula Clark, director of HIV services with the Jackson County Health Department.